Government Bans Formulas to Motivate Mexican Mothers to Breastfeed Babies Christopher Cruz - Medical Daily
go to original August 15, 2015

#SiaLaLactancia: In April, UNICEF Mexico launched national breastfeeding campaign (UNICEF Mexico)

In order to encourage new mothers to breastfeed their children, the Mexican government has banned free baby formula from being given away in hospitals, according to the BBC.

The effort is to increase breastfeeding rates, which are dangerously low. Only one in seven Mexican new mothers breastfeed their children, making their rates one of the lowest in Latin America. Baby formulas will still be available to be purchased in shops and also can be supplied by a doctor’s request. This isn’t the first time that Mexico has tried to encourage more breastfeeding.

Millions of people in the country live in poverty and consume water that is contaminated. The best way for children in Mexico to receive nutrients that they need is from breastfeeding. The issue of poverty has to do also with women who are in the workplace. Many Mexican businesses do not allow women to nurse or pump, making it difficult for women to give vital nutrients to their children

...According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age and can potentially continue up to 2 years of age or beyond. Children in countries like Mexico who have a high poverty rate have a higher rate of death for children. Feeding children through nursing early on has a positive effect and can help save lives in developing nations like Mexico.

Read the rest at Medical Daily

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